Smiths Auction Rooms in Newent have been busier than ever preparing for their forthcoming Antiques & Collectables sale on September 19-20. With over 1,400 lots the sale includes a wide range of entries ranging from beautiful jewellery, fine furniture, works of art and quirky collectables. 

The sale includes a special section for watches including a handsome Breitling Avenger SeaWolf gentlemen’s wristwatch made in a limited edition of just four hundred exclusively for staff at GCHQ. Estimated at £2,500 to £3,500, it is definitely the highlight of the section, however a range of other watches includes several Omega’s as well as a stunning ladies Art Deco platinum and diamond set cocktail watch estimated at just £600/£800. 

One of the most interesting items in the sale came in right at the last moment, when the sale had been officially closed for a few days. But Smiths staff managed to squeeze it in since it was something a little bit special!  It is an Edwardian scratch built model of a locksmith’s workshop made perhaps as an apprentice piece, although the workmanship is so fine it would be more plausible to think of it as a master craftsman’s showpiece. The whole intricate scene is enclosed within a sealed glass case and this sort of display is often known as a diorama. A plaque at the front dates it to 1905 and  reads  ‘All Made to Work by James Walton, 126 Wedesfield Road, Wolverhampton’. It is hard to believe that some of the tiny locks and keys featured around the scene could possibly work, especially since some of them are just a few mm in size. The vendor had inherited it from his mother who had in turn inherited it from her uncle who had been an antiques dealer. Smiths have estimated it at £300/£500 but it is hoped that it will attract strong specialist interest, and it could possibly make four figures!

Other highlights of the sale include a vast selection of interesting paintings from a number of sources, including a fine early 19th century English school oil of a horse and dog in a stable estimated at £600/£800.

Other quirky pieces include a tiny oil sketch by Welsh artist Ben Fisher (1859-1939) of a country boy titled to the reverse ‘Oh Ruddier Than the Cherry’.

A substantial property at Gorsley was the source for a huge mid-20th century oil on canvas of an Italian landscape by Henry Inlander (1925-1983). An Austrian who moved to England in 1938 and studied art at the ‘Avant Garde’  Camberwell and Slade Schools of Art. He painted both landscapes and portraits and is quoted as saying ‘to live within the landscape is of importance to me; not that I would set up an easel in it, but simply the daily contact would further my understanding’.

The vendors husband got to know him whilst they were both working in Italy and this painting was a gift to him from the artist and so unfortunately has gone unsigned. Estimated at just £300/£500 to reflect this, the buyer will need to have a large wall to hang it on as it measures nearly two metres wide!

A fantastic selection of antique jewellery includes many collectable pieces such as Edwardian Art Nouveau brooches, Victorian bohemian style earrings and a range of attractive antique rings - which are always very popular. A large 18ct gold Arts & Crafts style brooch set blue stone makes an eye-catching piece for someone who likes something a little bit different, whilst a range of exotic Indian high grade gold jewellery includes gem set bangles and pendants. An impressive  Indian large gold pendant is set with a multitude of cabochon cut rubies and is estimated at £500/£700. There is of course the usual range of ruby, diamond and sapphire rings with many items priced from just £50 to £500. 

The ceramics section features a range of colourful Italian maiolica pottery including large chargers, vases, jugs, tiles etc. A small range of Delft items includes an unusual and rather fun 18th century figure of a naked woman seated upon a dolphin. With a letter of authenticity from John Sandon it is estimated at £500/£700 but could well attract a number of enthusiastic buyers. Other early Delft pottery includes tiles, plates and even an 18th century spittoon. 

The furniture section includes a number of fine antique entries from the estate of an antiques dealer who lived near Bromsgrove. These include a very special George III secretaire bookcase with impressive swan neck pediment estimated at £500/£700 and a secretaire chest on chest from the same source as well as a fine George III chest of drawers, a Gothic style students’ desk and a very finely carved 18th century coffer. Another large estate just five miles from Newent has provide almost one hundred and fifty items in the sale including a selection of early Georgian chairs, a very finely carved Victorian stool, a range of antique glass, ceramics, paintings and works of art. Of particular note are assorted items of treen such as an early 19th century biscuit mould carved woman with sheaf of corn, a continental polychrome painted angel wall bracket and a very desirable Mouseman carved oak tray estimated at £250/£350. 

A contrasting selection of toys adds some fun to the sale, with a Happy Days Fonzie figure still completely sealed into his cardboard and plastic packaging estimated at £50/£70. A number of tin plate clockwork toys should attract traditional toy collectors whilst a range of vintage toys include Scalextrix, a Merit pair of ‘Space Walkie Talkies’ and even some retro arcade games such as ‘Coleco Alien Attack’ !

The silver section of the sale provides a fantastic selection of small and very desirable collectors’ items from a variety of vendors. These include a range of small silver boxes such as snuff boxes, vinaigrettes, pill boxes, trinket boxes, vesta cases and so on. A charming Victorian silver heart form box has an enamel plaque to the lid 'Sacre a L'Amour' which should perform well against its £50 to £70 estimate. Novelty items such as miniature silver animals, Scandinavian silver and enamel and even a tiny miniature pipe with a monkey seated to the stem should all find eager buyers, whilst larger items of silver include a large modern elliptical tray made in 1958 by a pupil of Omar Ramsden estimated at £400/£600. 

Smiths catalogue will be available online from September 13 with viewing on September 17-18 10am to 5pm and on the morning of the sales. For all enquiries please telephone 01531 821776 or visit www.smithsnewentauctions.co.uk